It depends entirely on what your lease says. When you are trying to understand whether utilities are included in your rent in Qatar, the relevant clause in the tenancy agreement determines whether the advertised rent is the full monthly cost or only the starting point.
Water, electricity, internet and other services may be included in the rent or charged separately. Before signing for a flat in West Bay, an apartment on The Pearl Island or a villa in Al Waab, find the utilities clause and read it carefully.
Are utilities included in your Qatar rent? Read the lease first
There is no general rule requiring landlords to include utilities in the rent. Some properties are advertised with water, electricity or internet included, while others cover only the base rent and leave the tenant responsible for the bills.
Certain buildings may also have separate cooling or chilled-water charges that do not appear on the Kahramaa bill. These are particularly important to check in developments that use district cooling.
What matters is that the arrangement is clearly written in the tenancy agreement. If an advertisement says “utilities included” but the contract does not, ask the landlord or agent to add the details before you sign.
“Included” may also come with conditions. For example, the rent may include water but not electricity, or it may cover utilities only up to a monthly limit. The agreement should explain:
- Which services are included
- Whether there is a monthly usage cap
- How excess consumption will be calculated
- Who receives and pays each bill
- Whether cooling, internet or gas is charged separately
What your Qatar tenancy contract should say
Written contract and language
Qatar’s Property Leasing Law requires covered tenancy agreements to be made in writing. The contract should include the names, nationalities and addresses of the landlord and tenant, the lease period, rent, payment method, description of the property, purpose of the lease and all other agreed conditions.
The law does not state that every contract must be bilingual. However, the Ministry of Municipality’s lease-registration guidance requires copies of the contract in Arabic.
Many landlords provide contracts in both Arabic and English. If you do not read Arabic, request a bilingual contract or a reliable translation before signing. Where two versions are provided, check whether the contract identifies which text takes priority if the wording differs.
The utilities clause: included or excluded
Look for a clause that answers these questions clearly:
- Are water and electricity included in the rent or paid separately by the tenant?
- Is internet included, and does the tenant have a choice of provider?
- Are cooling or chilled-water charges separate?
- Who pays the Kahramaa security deposits?
- Is there a monthly allowance or usage cap?
- How will any excess amount be calculated and billed?
If utilities are excluded, the contract should state who is responsible for registering the Kahramaa account and paying the bills.
If they are included, the contract should identify the services covered and any limits. Avoid vague wording such as “reasonable use” unless the agreement explains how reasonable use will be measured.
Contract registration within 60 days
Under Qatar’s current Property Leasing Law, the landlord must register the tenancy agreement with the Real Estate Lease Registration Office within two months of signing.
Registration is the landlord’s responsibility. As a tenant, you should still ask for confirmation or a copy of the registration certificate, particularly if you need the contract for government or utility procedures.
If utilities are not included: setting up Kahramaa
If the lease makes you responsible for water and electricity, you will normally need to register your move to the property and place the Kahramaa service under your account.
The move-in request can be submitted electronically through Kahramaa’s services, including the service accessed through Hukoomi.
Information and documents you may need
The current move-in service asks applicants to provide:
- The electricity number linked to the property
- The date of moving into the property
- An email address and mobile number
- A postal box and address
- A copy of the tenant’s Qatar ID
- A copy of the tenancy agreement
- A copy of the owner’s Qatar ID
Requirements may differ for company accommodation, authorised representatives or unusual account arrangements. Kahramaa may also request additional information depending on the case.
Before taking over the account, check whether there are any previous unpaid amounts or issues connected to the meter.
Kahramaa deposits and setup costs
The Kahramaa service application form issued on 14 June 2026 lists the following security deposits for residential premises:
- Electricity: QAR 1,200
- Water: QAR 800
- Total: QAR 2,000
These amounts are separate from your monthly consumption charges and are subject to change under Kahramaa’s terms and conditions.
The online move-in application itself is listed as having no service fee, but the relevant security deposits may still be required. Check the current amount and the procedure for final account settlement before moving.
How much do utilities cost in Qatar?
Monthly water and electricity bills
There is no single reliable monthly figure that applies to every home. Kahramaa charges depend on the customer category, property type and actual consumption.
Your bill may be affected by:
- The size and type of the property
- The number of occupants
- Air-conditioning use
- The season
- Water consumption
- Garden irrigation or swimming pools
- The property’s insulation and energy efficiency
Instead of relying on a general online estimate, ask the landlord or previous tenant for recent bills from the same property. This will give you a much more realistic idea of what to budget.
Remember that some developments issue cooling or chilled-water bills separately from Kahramaa. Ask whether such charges apply and whether they are paid by the landlord, tenant or building management.
The wastewater disposal fee
A wastewater disposal fee may be added to the Kahramaa bill. Where applicable, it is calculated at 20% of the water charge, not 20% of the entire electricity and water bill.
Qualifying homes of Qatari citizens are exempt under the applicable rules.
From 16 March 2026, all residential units and establishments within the administrative boundaries of The Pearl Island and Lusail City are also exempt from the 20% wastewater disposal fee, regardless of their type.
If you are unsure whether the exemption applies to your property, review the current bill or confirm the account classification with Kahramaa.
Gas cylinders and other costs
Some homes in Qatar use LPG cylinders for cooking rather than a piped gas connection. This is separate from the Kahramaa account.
WOQOD’s SHAFAF cylinders are available in 6 kg and 12 kg sizes through WOQOD stations and authorised retailers. Costs may differ depending on whether you are buying a new cylinder, exchanging an empty cylinder, paying for a refill or requesting delivery.
Because WOQOD does not currently publish all cylinder and refill prices on its public product page, check the latest amount with an authorised seller before budgeting.
You should also ask whether the property requires you to buy a regulator, hose or any other approved equipment.
Paying your Kahramaa bills
Kahramaa bills can be paid through several channels, including:
- The Kahramaa website
- The Kahramaa mobile app
- Ooredoo self-service machines
- Kahramaa partner banks
- QNB ATMs
Review each bill carefully and pay it by the due date. If your home also has a separate district-cooling account, remember that this may have its own bill, payment deadline and security deposit.
Lease clauses to check before signing
Before committing to a flat or villa, review the following:
- Utilities: What is included, what is excluded and whether any usage limits apply.
- Cooling charges: Whether district cooling, chilled water or central air-conditioning charges are separate.
- Rent and payment schedule: The exact rent, payment dates and whether payment is monthly, quarterly or through post-dated cheques.
- Security deposit: The amount, permitted deductions and conditions for its return.
- Kahramaa deposit: Whether it is paid by the landlord or tenant.
- Maintenance: Who is responsible for air-conditioning, plumbing, appliances and major repairs.
- Contract duration: The start and end dates, renewal process and required notice.
- Early termination: Any penalties or notice requirements if you leave before the contract ends.
- Furnished inventory: A signed list of furniture, appliances and their condition.
- Language: Whether you fully understand the contract and whether both language versions match.
- Registration: Confirmation that the landlord will register the contract within 60 days.
Utilities and maintenance are two of the most common sources of disagreement between landlords and tenants. Who pays an unusually high summer electricity bill? Who is responsible if the air-conditioning stops working? Clear written terms can prevent confusion later.
Ready to move? Browse furnished and unfurnished flats and villas through Qatar Living Properties, compare the full monthly cost and read every utilities clause before committing.
FAQs
Are utilities always included in rent in Qatar?
No. They may be included, partially included or charged separately. The lease should clearly state which services are covered and who is responsible for each bill.
Do not assume that utilities are included simply because the property is furnished or serviced.
How much is the Kahramaa deposit for a residential account?
As of the Kahramaa service application form issued on 14 June 2026, the listed residential deposits are QAR 1,200 for electricity and QAR 800 for water, making a total of QAR 2,000.
The amounts are subject to change, so confirm them before moving.
What is the wastewater disposal fee on my bill?
Where applicable, it is equal to 20% of the water charge.
Qualifying Qatari homes are exempt. All residential units and establishments within the administrative boundaries of The Pearl Island and Lusail City have also been exempt since 16 March 2026.
How do I pay my Kahramaa bill?
You can pay through the Kahramaa website or mobile app, Ooredoo self-service machines, partner banks or QNB ATMs.
What documents do I need to register my move with Kahramaa?
You will generally need the electricity number, your move-in date, contact and address details, your Qatar ID, the tenancy agreement and the owner’s Qatar ID.
Additional documents may be requested depending on the account or applicant type.
Must my lease be in both Arabic and English?
No. Qatar’s rental law requires the agreement to be in writing but does not impose a general requirement for every contract to be bilingual.
However, the Ministry of Municipality’s registration process requires Arabic copies. If you do not understand Arabic, request a bilingual contract or a reliable translation before signing.
Who must register the tenancy agreement?
The landlord is responsible for registering it with the Real Estate Lease Registration Office within 60 days of signing.
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